HT impact: BMC to probe faulty fire engines issue

HT’s report on Monday highlighted the glitches in newly purchased 16 fire engines which cost the BMC Rs16.5 crore

A day after HT reported about the defects found in 16 new fire engines, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said it would probe into the matter.

Road Accidents - The Mumbai fire brigade van that rammed into the biker, deceased, Kailash Chowdhary (23) near DN nagar police station, Andheri West - HT Photo 14.11.2008 (File photo)

HT’s report on Monday highlighted the glitches in newly purchased 16 fire engines which cost the BMC Rs16.5 crore.

The municipal corporation bought the new fire engines to replace the old ones. But, the trial run found leakage in water tank attached to fire engines, glitches in pumps and pressure valve and no proper space to attach ladders on vehicles.

The issue was raised in the meeting of the standing committee on Monday, following which, its chairman Yashodhar Phanse directed the civic administration to submit a report.

Opposition leader in the civic house and Congress corporator Devendra Amberkar raised the issue, demanding a probe into the matter.

“This is a serious issue as the fire engines would be part of fire brigade. What if they fail during an emergency and while fighting a major fire? I have serious doubts over the quality of the vehicles. It is shameful,” said Amberkar.

Responding to the demand, Phanse asked the administration to submit a report.

“The administration should look into matter, find facts and submit a report to the committee members as early as possible,” he said.

The firemen and drivers found the defects during the trial run of new fire tenders that were inducted in the city fire brigade recently in the presence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, BJP city unit chief Ashish Shelar and mayor Snehal Ambekar.

After the issue came to the light, embarrassed senior Shiv Sena leaders slammed the fire brigade officials for hiding information about the glitches, said sources in the civic body.

“Senior fire officials have been asked to explain why the defects were not informed or fixed before the inauguration,” the sources added.

Following this, senior fire brigade officials have instructed the engineers of the vehicle supplier company based in Gujarat to speed up the process of repairing them.